personal cleanliness the purification of our streets the consequent increase of public health the facilities it will extend to mechanical and manufacturing industry the vast increase of steam-power among us, to be employed in the arts the supply to our mariners of a necessary element, which will remain comparatively unaffected by change of climate, and pre-eminently, the security it will afford against the dangers of conflagration. Each neighborhood, uniting its inhabitants for purposes of mutual safety, may promptly arrest the ravages of fire in its early stages ; and if such associations be numerously formed, extensive fires need but rarely occur. Large as we may deem the expense of this vast structure, we cannot but consider it as cheaply purchased, when we reflect that the
calamity of a night, occurring when we were without the protection now afforded, involved a destruction of property of twice this cost. The history, Mr. President, which you have this day given, of the rise and progress of this undertaking, forms a just tribute to numerous citizens, who assisted in its origin and consummation. It is a characteristic of this work, that the credit attached to it, belongs pre-eminently to no individual, but is diffused, though in unequal degree, throughout an extensive circle. Fortunately, the field of commendation is so large, that each
may reap his deserved harvest, without infringing the rights of his neighbor. Our thanks and remembrances are due to ALL, whose exertions in the Legislature of the State in our municipal councils in the various commissions of exploration, of survey, of estimate,